SOVIET OFFICIAL: "The Soviet people express their solidarity with the courageous struggle of the patriots of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa and condemn the manoeuvres of imperialism and reaction which are trying to ensure the solution of the problems of those countries along neo-colonialist lines. The Soviet people advocate the surrender of all power to the true representatives of the peoples of Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Patriotic Front and SWAPO, and resolutely demand an end to the despicable practice of apartheid in South Africa. They express their strong protest against the growing co-operation of the imperialist countries with the criminal racist regimes."

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Background: In Zambia, a planeload of Year of the Child gifts from the Soviet Union was unloaded on Friday (1 June).

SYNOPSIS: The gifts are destined for children from Zimbabwe Rhodesia who are living in refugee camps in Zambia. Officials from the exiled Zimbabwe African People's Union unloaded the goods -- which the Soviet Union says are a demonstration of its solidarity with ZAPU and the Patriotic Front. The leader of the Soviet delegation spoke at Lusaka airport.

A crate of gifts was handed over to ZAPU's Secretary for Manpower, Stephen Nkomo. The Soviet Ambassador to Zambia, Dr. Vasili Solodovnikov, was also present.